LexRexBlue

I just received a letter from Lexus with information on the RX400h. The price will be $48,535. In addition to the other information we knew, they do list the navigation system as standard!

frenchorne

I received the same e-mail.

I believe the only options are the:
*
Mark Levinson Audio System ($1,480)
DVD Rear Seat Entertainment System ($1,840)
Adjustable Front Seat Heaters ($540)
*
Based on the price for these options on the RX 330, I calculated the "best guess price" in parentheses above. This would give a grand total of $52,395, before taxes.

spwolf

With same options (AWD, DVD Nav with backup camera, AFS Hids, 6 cd in dash, power/memory everything and leather interior) RX330 comes out to 45k MSRP. So with same features, it is ONLY 3.5k more expensive...

tinlittle

>it is ONLY 3.5k more expensive...

True but 330 can be had for invoice while the 400 is MSRP with waiting period. So it is more like 7-8k more.

HarrierAWD

Note that the RX400h is only made in Japan. Recently the Japanese Yen has appreciated about 15% against the U.S. Dollar. So expect price adjustment for other Lexus models, too.

RX330 pricing should be flat, as more are made in Canada and more competitions have entered the market.

Sethamm

>it is ONLY 3.5k more expensive...

True but 330 can be had for invoice while the 400 is MSRP with waiting period. So it is more like 7-8k more


Even so it is still worth it If you do any amount of city driving. With VDIM (Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management) and the Hybrid benefits It is definitely worth it. The Gs430 and Gs300 have had a $7-8k spread for years. The Hybrid is significantly quieter, (it has a CVT) no shifting. When your in the city the gas engine is off most of the time. The best part is when you first turn on the 400h... you here nothing. Lexus is taking quiet to a whole new level. It is definitely worth the wait, and the price.


http://www.lexus-eshowroom.com/eshow...wmv&type=video

HarrierAWD

Actually that's a misperception about hybrids. When you first turn on the 400h in the morning, the engine will start since it's cold. So you will hear something. Same with the Prius.

The engine does not start, of course, when it's fairly warm. So if you were running errands to supermarket, dry cleaner, etc., you'd start and drive off with just the electric motor.

spwolf

um, what you are saying is actually common misperception - it is fairer to say that only when it is pretty cold, engine starts first... And where Prius has one 68hp electric engine, RX400h has total of 3 engines with 230+ hp total in electric power, larger batteries and can operate more on electric power alone... Against misperception, it is not "same" system as in Prius, it is significantly improved....

HarrierAWD

I didn't know the RX400h operates differently. Thanks for the info.

Rockville

To add to what Seth said, there still is a tax benefit this year I understand that may offset some of the added cost of the Hybrid.($2,000) I heard that it would go down to $500 next year but ask your tax advisor. When the Hybrid is cold you will start the engine to get the coolant warmed up for heat and the catalytic converter. Once it warms up you will have an weird feeling when you back out of your space in total silence. While the Prius uses a low output electric motor/generator the Lexus has two drive motor/generators with high output and another motor/generator that is in charge of power distribution and starting the gasoline engine. The AWD is not full time but on demand because the Electric motor in the back is independent of the front drive as there isn't any center differential. The total horsepower of the combined 3.3 liter and the motor/generators is 270. The effect is equivalent to a 4 liter V8 hence the RX400h designation. Seth and I have both driven the car through the New Jersey countryside and once you try it you're hooked. Did I mention that it also has the VDIM stability system that just came out on the GS430? If you only add the cost of the 100lb. Nickel Hydride battery you would equal the differential in price from the RX330. Lexus makes less profit on this car then the conventional RX yet they want to see the new technology is circulation. If everybody drove a hybrid we could all breathe a lot easier.....Check out the link that Seth provided and you can see the VDIM training video. Nice trick Seth.....
http://www.lexus-eshowroom.com/eshow...wmv&type=video

jazzsax

I think there can be no doubt that there is a true difference of about $7K for the cars, and even more if you didn't want some of the standard 400h features. Whether or not it's worth it is up to the individual. But nobody should think that there is only a $3.5K difference.

To me, $7K starts to look like a lot of money.

Aaron

The below comparison doesn't take into account the difference in horsepower/torque and fuel efficiency (among other things) that the 400h offers, but my below comparison shows more like a $11K difference (paying $1000 over invoice for an '05 RX 330 AWD vs. paying MSRP for an '06 RX 400h).

What other features/options am I missing from the below comparison?
..sorry if the formatting is poor/cryptic.

Lexus RX 330 2005 AWD - Dest - Nav/ML/Prem - 18'' - Mat+Locks - CA Emissions
MSRP $37,175.00 $650.00 $6,790.00 $215.00 $158.00 $100.00 $45,088.00
Invoice $32,898.00 $650.00 $5,464.00 $172.00 $95.00 $99.00 $39,378.00

39,378.00
1,000.00 money to dealer
40,378.00
3,129.30 sales tax
43,507.30 total

Lexus RX 400h - Dest - ML - CA Emissions
MSRP $48,535.00 $650.00 $1,480.00 $100.00 $50,765.00
Invoice $48,535.00 $650.00 $1,480.00 $100.00 $50,765.00

50,765.00
0.00 money to dealer
50,765.00
3,934.29 sales tax
54,699.29 total

spwolf

Um, thats assuming that you will get larger possible dealer discount and of course due to high demand, you will get no discounts on 400h. However at the same time, why not assume that resale value of 400h will be larger as well so at the end, you will get more money at trade in or private sale? :-).

HarrierAWD

And why not buy a Kia Sorento instead of the expensive RX330? You can save over $15,000 for a comparably equipped Sorento. You also get 10-year warranty and REAL OFFROAD capability.

And why not buy a Toyota Highlander? They are mechanically identical. You can save about $5,000.

I hope people see the sarcasm here. Buying the Lexus RX400h is not about saving money. It is about the prestige. And you get better acceleration and gas mileage over the RX330.

Aaron

The RX 400h is obviously better than the 330 in all aspects (except I probably would've prefered the wood option... couldn't we plant a tree somewhere to make up for the use of wood? :-) ) , but I wanted to see if anyone else agreed that the initial out of pocket difference is more like +$11K rather than just the ~$5K difference in MSRP, and I've seen other posts estimating more like $7-8k.

Even though I'd very much like to purchase an RX 400h, I still need to consider the price in my decision process. Thanks, but no thanks on the Kia or Highlander... although the RX 400h price does put it up in a new price category (GX 470, XC90 V8, BMX X5 4.4), the mileage numbers are a showstopper. ...not to mention the emissions. Thanks, -Aaron